Lingerie clasp



March 25, 1969 s. PRlCE 3,434,185

LINGERIE CLASP Filed D80. 14, 1967 INVENTOR. ROBERT S. PRICE BY mu! mama ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,434,185 LINGERIE CLASP Robert S. Price, 110 Bridle Path Road, West Springfield, Mass. 01089 Continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 493,214, Oct. 5, 1965. This application Dec. 14, 1967, Ser. No. 690,441

Int. Cl. A44b 11/10 US. CI. 24-74 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A fastener or clasp for use in the lingerie field and like applications and comprising a frame having an opening therethrough, in which opening a deformable wedge may be inserted, with a strap or straps of the lingerie or the like being adjustably clamped between the wedge and frame.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation-in-part of my copending application, Ser. No. 493,214, filed Oct. 5, 1965, now Patent No. 3,382,549, issued May 14, 1968.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention The invention relates to improvements in clasping or securing or supporting media of multiple application, which media can be economically formed as one or twopiece arrangements, of plastic or equivalent material, by means of high speed injection or other molding techniques or equivalent fabricating methods.

Description of the prior art Devices of the clasping or securing or supporting types are commonly used, in wearing apparel, for instance, with the band thereof being used to be adjusted so as to suit the wearer. In such applications, it is common to provide a loop, of metal or plastic, offering a slot of suflicient Width as to permit two bands or two parts of a single band to be passed therethrough. Generally, one of the parts is adjustable relative to the loop and the end of the other part is passed through the slot and sewn or otherwise secured to the portion of the other band not so passed therethrough. Such type is objectionable in that, when a pull is exerted on the two parts passing through the slot of the loop (which pull may be other than parallel to the edges of the band, i.e., somewhat diagonally with reference to the length of the band), the parts frequently will slide in opposite directions so as to produce an unsightly appearance and to change the adjustment of the band with the result that the associated article is then caused to fit loosely on the wearer.

A variety of different devices have been proposed for the purpose of fastening or supporting garments. Fasteners in common use today include a back member having a raised lug portion thereon and a front member formed from metal wire or the like. During use, the wire is slidably engaged over the lug with the top of the garment positioned between the lug and the wire. These fasteners, however, suffer from a number of disadvantages in that, first, the garment is supported at only one point and therefore is subject to becoming torn, and second, the metal wire member or the hinge portion between the metal wire member and the body portion will sometimes pinch the user. Further, it is relatively thick and can consequently become uncomfortable, not to mention that it presents the esthetic problem of unsightliness.

Other types of fasteners include some which provide front and rear fastener members, each including a horizontally disposed flange at the upper and lower end thereof, which flanges are locked together when the fastener is placed in use. This fastener, too, has certain shortcomings. First, the fastener, when assembled, is relatively thick since the front and back members are spaced apart by the flanges. Second, members can slide-laterally with respect to one another and, as a result, may become accidentally separated, thereby releasing the garment.

Devices presently on the market, while positive in their grip, usually subject the material with which they coact to severe local strains and stresses or perforations, wherefore the material is frequently torn or otherwise damaged.

Another objectionable characteristic of the commonly known devices is that they varyingly injure the material engaged by the grip means when in use and, additionally, when such grip means is released, leave the removed material disfigured. Such disadvantages are especially pronounced with such as conventional hosiery suspenders and other garment holders which should hold securely, though the garments be of fine texture, and without subjecting the garments to undue strain.

Another significant disadvantage of most prior art constructions is that they dictate the use of both hands to effect their connection to and/or release from articles or materials which they serve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a novel gripping or clasping action, allowing use: (1) in the positive securement of straps as found on articles of clothing such as slips, brassieres, bathing suits and the like; (2) in the securement together of articles of clothing as for instance during laundering where it may be desired to give ready identification of ownership to a particular piece and/ or to keep together articles of a pair; (3) in the attachment of price or information tags to clothing or fabrics or the like as in merchandising; (4) in the suspending or hanging of curtains or draperies and the like; (5) in the supporting and securing of sheeting as in the case of vehicle tarpaulins, tentage, tenting, swimming pool covers and the like; (6) and i in myriad other applications.

It is a simple, secure and quickly-operable connection between one band or part and another band or part whereby both bands or parts will be so maintained in correct relationship with respect to each other that slippage of one or both, lengthwise of the connection, is avoided and the usual resulting bunching of parts is precluded.

Most of the prior art clasps and fasteners are formed basically or entirely of metal and offer various means of pinching or clamping the item with which engaged and furthermore present the obvious disadvantage inherent in any metallic substance coming in direct contact with a user in that they tend tocorrode or rust and to chafe or scratch the skin.

This invention provides clasp and fastener constructions which are more effective in their hold, and yet retain the articles with which employed and without perforations or undue strains or stresses.

The constructions are thin or flat when assembled and when in use to minimize unsightliness and to maximize wearing comfort, all the while allowing clamping actions such as to grip the material being clasped uniformly across the threads thereof, thereby distributing the pulling action and lessening strain in any single localized area.

The invention relates particularly to a species including interlocking supporting and locking: elements adapted to receive and positively grip or clasp or secure or support the engaged part of a garment when the invention is used to engage a garment, be it a foundation garment or an item of hosiery or the like, or the engaged part of a laundry item for identification purposes, in domestic or commercial laundering or dry cleaning, or the engaged part of sheeting as in connection with vehicle tarpaulins, tentage, pool covers and/ or the like, the interengageable elements being easily manipulatable by one hand in effecting connection to or release from the associated article it is called upon to serve.

Herein, the operating components are molded as a pair of separate parts in certain embodiments and as a unitary structure in other embodiments.

So formed, the clasp or fastener has suflicient tensile strength for the purposes intended while being sufficiently frangible as to make practical a ilexure of one component relative to the other by force of the generated torsional stresses, all the while looking therewith an article or material interposed therebetween.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a view, in top plan, of the clasp or fastener embodying a preferred form of the invention and showing straps associated therewith;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are views, in side elevation, showing the device of FIG. 1 in the locked and unlocked positions respectively;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are fragmentary views, in top plan, of modified forms of frame components of fasteners embodying the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a view, in top, of a modified form of fastener embodying another exemplification of the invention, with the straps being omitted for the sake of clarity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The simple term frame is here employed to designate the frame component in the case of a two-part construction or the frame element in the case of a one-part construction, which frame accommodates the wedge, that simple term being employed to designate the lock or wedge component in the case of a two-part construction or the lock or wedge element in the case of a one-part construction, which wedge, upon flexure into inter-engaging position with the frame, provides the tensioned clamping or gripping force to hold a material between the frame of the invention. Such terms are not used in a limiting sense, each being intended to embrace all equivalents which perform the same function for an analogous purpose.

A first exemplification of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1-3 in the form of a two-part clasp or fastener comprising, a frame, generally indicated by 10, and a wedge, generally indicated by 12, the two components being releasably inter-engageable.

Frame 10, of suitable plastic adapted for molding or other shaping and yet capable of sufficient set to prevent deformation or warpage in usage, is fabricated to define a rectangular or square or like configuration by virtue of a pair of spaced, parallel-disposed side bars 14, 14 which are interconnected at their opposite ends by means of spaced, parallel-disposed upper end tongue 16 and lower end tongue 18. Alternatively, the frame could be fabricated from a material other than plastic, as for example, metal.

Spaced upwardly or inwardly of lower end tongue 18 is a parallel intermediate end tongue 20 defining a narrow slot 22 therebetween; spaced upwardly or inwardly of intermediate end tongue 20 is a parallel inner end tongue 24 defining cooperantly with intermediate end tongue 20 a narrow slot 26.

The lower surface of end tongue 24 and the upper surface of end tongue 20 are preferably flattened as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 to provide more bearing area for purposes to appear.

The side bars 14, 14, upper end tongue 16, and inner end tongue 24 cooperantly define a central aperture or opening 28 through the frame.

Side bars 14, 14, are preferentially of oval or flat configuration in cross section, and may be readily flexed so that, as will appear, the adjusting strap or straps may be caused to slide more easily relative to the frame.

End tongues 16, 18, 20 and 24 may be likewise configured so as to allow for thinness, wherefore the overall characteristic of the fastener is one of exceptional thinness.

Wedge 12, generally rectangular in configuration and of appropriate section, is formed from a resilient plastic or metal material with an inherent ability to carry a torsional load, and is provided with opposite faces 32 and 34-, face 32 being generally planar, and opposite face 34 being gradually inclined toward its median line 36 from each of its opposite ends to define a greater face-to-face thickness at the central region of the body than at the opposite ends.

The wedge has an overall length slightly in excess of the vertical dimension of central opening 28 of frame 10 and has an overall width slightly less than the horizontal dimension of the central opening so as to be nestably receivable therewithin and to be in central alignment therewith with respect to the longitudinal median of the frame.

The wedge is provided, at each of its side faces, with an outwardly extending snap lug 37, of appropriate length to slightly overlie each of the side bars 14 of the frame, such lugs, when they clear the side bars as the wedge is moved between locked and unlocked positions, impart a positive snap action type of movement to the wedge.

Formed unitarily with the wedge at its upper and lower end edges are enlarged oppositely-facing upper and lower arcuate crescent-shaped or channelled pressure seats 42 and 44 respectively, each seat extending outboard of each of the side edges of the wedge thereby to define a pair of outwardly flared ears or locking tabs 46 on each face for holding the wedge in proper relationship to the frame upon assembly.

The forwardly-facing face of upper pressure seat 42 is relieved or cut away as at 47 to provid a channel or guide for a strap, such channel or guide precluding lateral slipping of the strap as it is adjusted relative to the fastener.

Each pressure seat is configured so as to complement one of the end tongues, (upper end tongue 16 or inner end tongue 24), of the frame. Conceivably, configurations other than those shown and described are practical and are to be considered within the spirit of the invention.

The opposite edges of the pressure seats and ears are preferentially, though not obligatorily, provided with complemental radii so that tearing or other damaging of materials or articles coming into contact therewith is minimized, and the bottoms of the seats may be scored or knurled or notched or serrated in manner to provide roughened material-engaging surfaces, to the ends of facilitating grip and eliminating material or article slippage when engaged.

Along the median line of face 32 of the wedge, a transverse, inwardly-extending, side-to-side V-groove 50, which may be intersected at its inner end by a short verticallyextending notch 52, is provided for purposes of facilitating relative flexure of the portions of the wedge upwardly and downwardly of the median line.

The outer edges of V-groove 50 at face 32 are preferably rounded as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to remove any sharp edges which might irritate the skin of the wearer.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, it is first to be explained that, while the embodiment shows a system for supporting slip straps and thereby a slip, it is not necessarily restricted to such usage. Wedge 12 is positioned in central opening 28 of frame 10 and is compressed by exerting converging compressive pressures with the thumbs or fingers placed upon face 32 at points on opposite sides of V-groove 50 so as to cause the opposite ends of the wedge to be slightly deflected toward each other, thereby to allow the leading-in ends of the pressure seats 42 and 44 each to be lightly engaged with the inwardly-facing surface of the respective end tongues 16 and 24, and to allow ears or locking tabs 46 to overlie opposite sides of the adjacent side bars 14. Release of this compression allows the opposite ends of the Wedge to deflect away from each other, thereby moving the pressure seats into frictional engagement with the inwardly-facing surfaces of the end tongues, with the wedge assuming a somewhat arcuate configuration on one side of the frame, identified for purposes of orientation as the rear side of the frame, with the Wedge curving to the right, as shown in FIG. 3. Pressure of the thumbs or fingers now placed upon face 32 adjacent V-groove 50 will cause the wedge to swing to end tongues 16 and 24 of the frame by way of the pivoting of the pressure seats relative to their respective end tongues to the end that the wedge snaps from the FIG. 3 position, at the rear side of the frame, to the FIG. 2 position at the opposite or forward side of the frame with the V-groove closing and the wedge assuming a somewhat convex configuration relative to the plane of the frame, and with the wedge curving to the left in locked interengagement with the frame.

In FIGS. l-3, a fabric strip A, hereinafter referred to as an adjustment strap, is disposed within central opening 28 of the frame, and a fabric strip B, hereinafter referred to as an attachment strap, is draped over lower end tongue 18, so as to pass through slot 22 between the end tongues 18 and 20.

Adjustment strap A passes between pressure seat 42 of the wedge and upper end tongue 16 of the frame, spans the central opening and is passed to the rear of the fastener through the slot 26 between inner end tongue 24 and intermediate end tongue 20.

When the wedge is in the locked FIG. 2 position, strap A is gripped at the upper end of the fastener between pressure seat 42 and upper end tongue 16 and is gripped adjacent the lower end of the fastener between inner end tongue 24 and intermediate end tongue 20, the inner end tongue being of reduced thickness at its points of jointure with side bars 14 whereby it is easily deflected downwardly by the wedge toward end tongue 20 to firmly grip strap A within slot 26.

Strap A may be readily adjusted by moving the wedge to the FIG. 3 position, relieving the stress on the strap and permitting its sliding movement relative to the wedge and frame to the desired position of adjustment, following which the wedge may be snapped back to the FIG. 2 position, once again to lock the strap against movement relative to the frame and wedge.

The wedge is so dimensioned that its width is slightly less than the width of the central opening of the frame so as to permit ready reception of same therewithin as respects width and that its length is slightly in excess of the length of the central opening so as to permit reception of same within the central opening only when flexed as respects length.

To release the clasp, the wedge is pivoted rearwardly, from left (FIG. 2) to right (FIG. 3), so that the wedge is compressed, thereby to clear the seats from frictional engagement with the end tongues and thus permit its disengagement from the frame.

With the wedge in closed relation relative to the frame, the free ends of the wedge are in tight frictional contact with the frame to preclude access to the seats.

As will be appreciated, when the Wedge is swung into the FIG. 2 position, with the seats frictionally engaged with the end tongues of the frame, the additional natural stressing action acts to facilitate the snapping of the wedge into and out of fabric-retaining position.

Due to the particular formation of the wedge, any movement of the person wearing the clasp will not cause it to become unclamped, it being necessary to pivot the wedge rearwardly between the sides of the frame before the wedge is released.

In the FIG. 4 exemplification, the lower end tongue has been eliminated and both the straps A and B pass through a slot 126 provided between an inner end tongue 124 and an end tongue 120 of a frame 110.

In the FIG. 5 exemplification, a lower end tongue 218 of a frame 210 is completely cut through as at 211 centrally of its length to provide a slot for removal of strap B for replacement purposes. Herein, a wire-like metal core 213 is molded as an integral part of the fastener to reinforce the lower end tongue.

In the FIG. 6 exemplification, I provide a unitary one-piece construction.

Broadly speaking, and in a generic sense, this exemplification is similar to the FIGS. 1-3 embodiment save for the facts that a wedge 312 is formed integrally with a frame 310, the lower pressure seat 44 of FIGS. 2 and 3 being omitted and the lower end of the wedge being formed integrally with an inner end tongue 324, 'which is fixed at its opposite ends to the side bars of th frame. The upper end of the wedge is provided with a pressure seat 342 similar to the pressure seat 42 of FIGS. 2 and 3 which is swingable into and out of bearing engagement with upper end tongue 316.

When the upper pressure seat 342 is engaged with upper end tongue 316 and the wedge swung to locked position, the lower end of the wedge defined by end tongue 324 is deformed downwardly to close slot 326 between inner end tongue 324 and an intermediate end tongue 320, thereby effectively to lock a strap, not shown, within slot 326. As shown, end tongue 324 is cut away adjacent its points of jointure with the side bars of the frame to facilitate its deformation and to close slot 326.

I claim:

1. A material clasp comprising:

(a) a frame including:

(1) a pair of spaced side bars interconnected with (2) a pair of spaced upper and lower end tongues and (3) an inner end tongue spaced from and adjacent the lower end tongue (4) with the upper and inner end tongues defining a primary wedge-receiving frame opening and the inner and lower end tongues defining a secondary frame slot below the primary openmg,

(b) a deformable toggle-action wedge insertable in the primary opening and releasably seatable on the upper and inner end tongues,

(c) arcuately concave pressure seats on the wedge being releasably engageable with the upper and inner end tongues,

(d) the wedge being shiftable between a first position loosely engaging the upper and inner end tongues and a second position tightly engaging the upper and inner end tongues for holding material disposed between the upper end tongue and wedge and with the inner end tongue being deflected away from the upper end tongue for bearing upon material threaded through the secondary slot between the inner and lower end tongues.

2. In the material clasp of claim 1 including, an additional lower end tongue parallel to and spaced from the lower end tongue between and connected to the side bars for defining a tertiary frame slot :below the secondary frame slot.

3. In the material clasp of claim 2, the additional lower end tongue being split.

4. In the material clasp of claim 2, the portions of the side bars and the end tongues defining the tertiary opening being reinforced.

5. In the material clasp of claim 1, the wedge being formed integrally with the frame at one of the end tongues defining the primary opening.

6. In the material clasp of claim ll, the bearing surfaces of the end tongues facing toward the secondary slot having flattened bearing surfaces.

7. In the material clasp of claim 1 including snap lugs on the wedge.

7 8 8. In the material clasp of claim 1 including strap FOREIGN PATENTS gulde means on the Wedge- 660,384 2/1929 France.

References Cited 1,061,921 3/1967 Great Bntaln.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 DONALD A. GRIFFIN, Primary Examiner.

629,906 8/1899 Kerngood. US. Cl. X.R. 2,099,199 11/1937 Devendor et a1 24198 2-336 

